Want to buy that cute dress? How about those Automatic Fragrance Diffusers in Dubai on your wishlist? We simply open the app on our phones. Online shopping has become a normal part of our lives. We click, add to cart, and get our stuff delivered in a few days. It’s fast and easy. But even with all the fancy websites and next-day delivery options, there’s still something missing. That "something" is the smell of a real store.
When we walk into a physical store, we use all our senses. We see the displays, touch the products, hear the music, and smell the air. Scent Marketing for E-Commerce: How Offline Stores Still Dominate Sensory Marketing will talk about the small details that stick in our minds and make us feel more connected to the brand.
Scent marketing means using smell to create a mood or memory. Stores add a special fragrance to make shoppers feel good and spend more time there. The smell helps customers remember the brand and creates a stronger connection.
When you enter a bakery, the smell of fresh bread makes you feel hungry. Even if you didn’t plan to buy bread, you might grab a loaf just because of the smell.
Clothing stores also do this. Many high-end stores use soft, clean scents that make people feel calm and think of quality.
Some brands use scent as a signature. Abercrombie & Fitch is a famous example. You can recognize their scent even before you walk inside. It’s strong, unique, and stays in your memory.
Hotels also use this idea. A luxury hotel lobby usually has a soft and relaxing smell. Guests remember that scent and connect it with comfort and good service.
A pleasant smell makes shoppers stay longer. Supermarkets place the bakery near the entrance to tempt customers. Car showrooms highlight the "new car" smell because people love it. This fresh scent makes them more likely to think about buying.
E-commerce websites focus on visuals. They show high-quality photos, add videos, and even 360-degree views. Some use sound effects or music. But it doesnt work with scents, Eventhough some companies tried creating scent devices for computers, but they didn’t workout.
Shopping online is convenient but lacks that real-life feeling. You don’t get to touch items, smell the air, or chat with staff. You scroll, click, and wait for delivery. The whole process feels quick but forgettable.
Some online brands include scented tissue paper or samples of a perfume in their packages. This is a nice surprise, but it doesn’t quite compare to the impactful sensory memory created by a physical store.
For example, Jo Malone, a luxury fragrance brand, includes scented samples in online orders. This way, customers can discover a new scent in their...
home, and feel more connected to the brand.
On the other hand, Glossier, the beauty brand, has included sample size fragrance in their package. Many customers loved this little surprise and shared their delight on social media.
Le Labo goes one step further. When you place an order from Le Labo online, they enclose small scented cards or a mini perfume sample and also personalize the label, adding to the experience of ordering something special and creating an even deeper sensory memory.
Some online brands turn scent into a discovery journey. Scentbird, a subscription perfume company, lets people try a new scent each month. Customers look forward to each delivery, and the surprise element makes it more fun.
Rituals, known for their relaxing body and home products, often include small sachets or scented samples in their boxes. This helps carry the calm, spa-like brand feel into people’s homes, even if they shop online.
Retail space is like a friend’s house. You can walk around, look at other people, ask questions, smell anything you want. It’s warm and real.
Online shopping is like a quick phone call, it works for getting a transaction done fast, but you don’t get the same relationship.
Our Scent Diffuser UAE experts at Atmocare reveal that offline stores combine sight, sound, touch, and smell all in one place. This complete sensory mix helps create strong memories and loyalty.
They don’t have to fight for attention in a crowded feed or compete with endless pop-up ads. A simple, pleasant scent can make shoppers feel good and keep them coming back.
Scent marketing is not just about making a store smell good for a single visit. It helps build long-term loyalty. When customers connect a pleasant smell with a brand, they start to trust it more and feel more comfortable coming back again and again.
A good scent can even help calm nervous feelings, which is why many banks and clinics use light, fresh scents. They want people to feel safe and relaxed. Shops selling luxury items use richer or floral scents to make shoppers feel special. This feeling sticks in a customer’s mind and makes them choose that brand over others later.
Online shopping will keep growing. Brands are always looking for new ways to stand out. Adding scent to packaging, hosting offline events, or creating small scent samples are some ways to bring a bit of sensory marketing online.
But until technology allows us to smell through a screen, offline stores will always have an advantage when it comes to creating deep, memorable shopping moments.
Scent marketing is a smart way to build strong customer connections. It helps brands create memories and keeps people coming back.
While online shopping is fast and easy, it misses this important piece. Physical stores still win when it comes to creating a full sensory experience.
Next time you walk into a shop, pay attention to the smell. You might notice it more now and see how much it influences your mood and choices.
